Does anyone have any good links on how to sterilize dirt for aquarium use?

onefish2fish

02-15-2009 07:27 PM

you could use a potting soil with no additives or fertilizers. the issue here is that it tends to make your water muddy and messy. i know people have used it before with gravel ontop to weigh it down, i personally wouldnt use it.

im guessing this is for your 3 gallon planted? what do you have in there now? and what kind of plants?

FordMan

02-15-2009 10:09 PM

there is aquatic soil which is more sandy and not as messy but still a good idea to use gravel on top of it

ThalesthePearsei

02-17-2009 12:02 AM

I have no idea what plants I have in there. They were given to me from a friend. I know that the grass in the center of the tank is called mini sword. The gravel I have in the tank right now are like large stones, I know, not very good for plants. I think I am going to get some Flourite when I get a chance, but idk I still like the idea to potting soil...

daisycutter

02-17-2009 12:23 AM

i sterilized my soil by filling an oven dish with sived garden soil(no rocks,twigs,worms etc) and put in the oven on a high setting for a hour......this will kill ANYTHING alive in the soil therfore it is sterile
kew gardens as well as many other places use a the high heat method to create sterile soils in a purpose built soil oven it kills weed seeds and soil borne organisums

once done i mixed it with laterite(iron rich soil) and vermiculite and i get great results